The National Judicial Council (NJC) has exonerated the Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, from allegations relating to financial impropriety, diversion of funds and judicial misconduct.
The Council disclosed that it wholly adopted the findings of a three-man investigative panel set up to review multiple petitions lodged against the Osun State Chief Judge.
Following its meeting on Wednesday, the 14th of January, 2026, the NJC issued a statement confirming that the committee’s report found no proof to support accusations of fund mismanagement, abuse of official position or violation of the Code of Conduct guiding judicial officers.
The petitions were submitted by several individuals and organisations, among them the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Jimi Bada; the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun; and four persons who claimed to be members of the Osun State Judicial Service Commission.
Additional complaints came from the former Chairman of the Osun State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Eludire Gbenga; a staff member of the Osun Customary Court of Appeal, Temitope Fasina; as well as three other individuals.
The petitioners accused Justice Ojo of actions including arbitrary suspension of judiciary workers, discriminatory promotion practices, discontinuation of training programmes, disregard for court orders and alleged diversion of judiciary funds.
Among the claims examined were allegations of misappropriating N7.4 million meant for judges’ and magistrates’ retreat, a N5 million robe allowance and revenue generated from e-affidavits.
After reviewing testimonies from all parties and their witnesses, the committee ruled that the joint petition filed by the Attorney-General and others was incompetent, noting that disputes over their status as members of the Judicial Service Commission were already the subject of ongoing litigation.
While affirming that the other petitioners had the legal standing to submit their complaints, the panel concluded that the suspension of judiciary staff was carried out in line with due process and did not constitute misconduct.
The committee also determined that matters relating to staff promotion and training fell within the statutory duties of the Osun State Judicial Service Commission.
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Addressing the financial allegations, the panel stated that there was “no evidence to show that Justice Ojo diverted or personally benefited from any of the funds referenced in the petitions.”
The NJC further noted that “all parties were afforded fair hearing during the investigation process.
“The Committee sat on several occasions, during which all parties were represented by counsel and called witnesses in support of their respective cases.”
It added that, “The Committee concluded that none of the allegations amounted to judicial misconduct or a breach of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.”
“Accordingly, it recommended that all the petitions be dismissed, a recommendation which the Council accepted in full,” the NJC said.